Continued research into Lt Col Crabtree leads me to these conclusions: He was a known ally of Col William O Coleman.
Coleman recruited in both Missouri and Arkansas. Crabtree recruited under orders of McRae and Price in Arkansas and Missouri. He first appears in the CSA Record as 1st Lt Capt Query's Co, McRae's Regt signing as company commander in Little Rock July 1862. See below for the complex info on this unit. He is listed as absent recruiting per McRae's orders for most of 62 and 63. He ends up with Coleman and 46th Arkansas Infantry ( Mounted) and serves as Lt Col. Price refers to the unit as Crabtree's Cavalry for Price's expedition.

Ouery's Company was known by several names during the war designated at various times as McRae's Regt Ark Infantry, Glenn's Regiment Ark Inf., Davie's Ark Inf. at the same time being known as Co B 36th Regt Ark Infantry. It was also carried on the books as 28th Regt Ark Inafntry, and 2nd Trans-Mississippi Inf Regt.

Lt John Wesley Crabtree's service record indicates he was ordered to Missouri to recruit in 1862.

So if the shoe fits... Bruce Allardice is the expert on Coleman and Crabtree IMHO. 1861 seems to be a bit of a hole for information about JW Crabtree but he could very well have been running in central Missouri with Coleman, shows up with a company of men in 1862 in Arkansas. Returns to recruiting under orders of McRae. Comes back in time to get in with Price's expedition. He ends up captured Dec. '64 near Searcy Arkansas.

As for the reported death of "Gen'l Crabtree" in late 62 in a cave in the arms of his mistress I can't find anything but folklore.

Now for the indirect supporting evidence from the 8 captured men of Crabtree's command at Wayman's Mill.
Robert Barnett apparently from Nevada Vernon Co MO no further info.
James Scott listing from Calloway Co Missouri Perkins Battalion
Jonathan M Stork No info found under Stork however there is a Jonathan M Stark b 1837 MO in 1850 and 1860 census Cole Co MO. Appears to be a no show to the 43rd EMM. He lands in Barry Co MO postwar.
John B Walthall No further info found.
Lt William A Edwards: Interestingly find a 2nd Lt William A Edwards of Coleman's Regt that survives the war.
Elias Hopman, Perhaps Elias Huffman of Arkansas
Edmund B Dixon see prior post
John Stephens appears as B 1837 MO in Osage Twsp Morgan CO M married to a Martha A Stepehens 1850 -1910. He has an oath on file executed 1864 with bond.

Ok all you experts start throwing darts and arrows at the theory.

John R